I tried to defrag my C: drive which is partitioned into two parts, one for the system and one for data storage. I get a message saying that I need to run chkdsk /f because I have a problem on the disc. I do this and it asks me to schedule it for next time the PC boots, on next boot it runs all the checks without any errors being detected, but I still get the same message when I try to run defrag again. Defrag works fine in the other partition, and also on my other physical hard disc, it is just in partition one where XP is that I get the error message. Any ideas please, I am close to trying Norton System works on this problem, but have been advised to not install it as I will have even more problems. Thanks Phil

CAUSE This issue can occur if the Applog file in the hidden C:\Windows\Applog folder is damaged. RESOLUTION To resolve this issue, follow these steps: Right-click an empty area on the desktop, and then click Properties. On the Web tab, click Folder Options. Click Yes. On the View tab under Hidden files, click Show all files, and then click OK. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders. In the Named box, type applog, click C: in the Look in box, click to select the Include subfolders check box, and then click Find Now. Double-click the Applog folder to open it. On the Edit menu, click Select all. On the File menu, click Delete, and then click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Oh wait thats for Win 98..hmmm

Have you got any programs running when you try to do a defrag ?

NO I shut down everything I possibly could in taskmanager processes. I am wondering if when chkdsk runs at boot if it is actually checking for bad sectors or not. It does not take more than a few minutes to run and the disc partition is about 12 gig. Does defrag fail if it thinks there are bad sectors, or just when there are file problems.

Defrag to my knowledge should not restart on finding a bad sector as scandisk/checkdisk should have marked this area before defrag even started. The main reason i know of for defrag being restarted is information being writen to the disk at the same time as it is running. I suggest you forget using microsoft's version of defrag and try diskkeeper which is free to try download from below. http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10224681.html Goodluck Andy

pgp001, See if this helps Windows and Scandisk stuck in a loop http://www.infopackets.com/freenewsarticles/windows+and+scandisk+stuck+in+a+loop+part+2.htm By the way, you wrote "I am close to trying Norton SystemWorks on this problem." Before you run out to the store, why don't you first take a look at PCWorld review here:(http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article/0,aid,113743,00.asp) Excerpts: "We chose V Communications' SystemSuite 5 as the Best Buy because it has the most extensive and usable set of tools. The big disappointment was Symantec's Norton SystemWorks 2004, which is in severe need of a major overhaul. We did like its one-pass checkup and its Registry cleanup, but many of its most important tools--such as the emergency boot--don't support the NTFS file system used in Windows XP. Aside from the excellent Norton AntiVirus component, there's little reason to purchase SystemWorks--and you can buy Norton AntiVirus on its own for $50, or as part of the more useful Norton Internet Security suite for $70."